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USMEF studies the red meat supply chain in Peru’s wet markets

The research into Lima’s wet markets aims to build on a USMEF campaign to promote nutrient-rich U.S. red meat products for children and elderly in Peru.

Posted on Feb 12 ,00:15

Although Peru’s modern retail sector is expanding, much of the meat consumed in the country is purchased in traditional wet markets. An estimated 70% of animal proteins bought and sold in Lima are distributed through 1,122 wet markets, according to the National Statistics Institute of Peru. To better understand how U.S. beef and pork reach consumers in Peru’s largest market, USMEF researched and studied a select group of wet markets in Lima.

"We have been stressing the importance of high-quality animal proteins as part of a healthy diet for children and the elderly,” says USMEF South America Representative Jessica Julca. More than 40% of children under the age of three in Peru suffer from anemia, Julca adds. “We are working to raise awareness and have been promoting specific U.S. red meat items as high-nutrient, high-value protein options".

Julca believes there are opportunities to expand the range of U.S. beef and pork products in Lima’s wet markets and commissioned ground-level research in 2024 to determine which U.S. red meat products are available and how they are identified, merchandised and promoted.  USMEF visited 10 representative wet markets in Lima in early 2024 and documented the red meat products sold in the stalls of each wet market. Researchers returned in the fall to document changes in the number of stalls that sold U.S. red meat and the products they sold.

U.S. beef variety meat items distributed through Lima’s wet markets include liver, tripe and feet. Import statistics from Trade Data Monitor show that 5,067 metric tons (mt) of U.S. beef variety meats, valued at $11.8 million, were imported from Jan.-Oct. 2024, a 5% increase by volume and 22% increase in value year-over-year. Trade Data Monitor also shows that 1,594 mt of U.S. pork loin, ham and belly, valued at $4.15 million, were imported from Jan.-Oct. 2024. A small percentage is sold through modern retail outlets while the majority of U.S. pork is sold through wet markets.

Through the research, USMEF also sought to identify additional U.S. red meat products that may have demand.

"Naturally, the U.S. cuts and variety meat items sold through the wet markets are price sensitive, but we believe there are opportunities for other products in this sector, including U.S. beef hearts", says Julca. "Peru primarily imports beef hearts from Brazil and Argentina. But many stall owners who had previously bought U.S. beef hearts expressed interest in purchasing them again because of the larger size and greater tenderness of the U.S. product".

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